06/02/2016

Red Ruffed Lemurs Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of three red ruffed lemurs on Tuesday, May 24. The male and two females are the first lemurs to be born at Nashville Zoo since the Zoo moved to the Grassmere property in 1996.
First time mom, Lyra, gave birth on her eighth birthday. With the addition of the three babies, the Zoo is now home to five red ruffed lemurs. The babies weighed about 100 grams at birth and approximately 8-10 inches long. Unlike other primate species, red ruffed lemurs do not carry their young. Instead, they keep their young in a nest nursing and caring for them until they are more independent and mobile. Zoo guests will be able to observe the red ruffed lemurs via closed- caption camera outside the current exhibit on Bamboo Trail until the babies are old enough to venture outside.

Red ruffed lemurs are one of more than 100 species of lemurs on the island of Madagascar and are considered critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and pet trade. Nashville Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for this species to increase the captive population. The Zoo also contributes financially to SAVA Conservation which works on saving the lemur species in the wild. More information can be found at http://lemur.duke.edu/protect/conservation/sava-conservation/.

About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. Attracting more than 800,000 visitors annually, the Zoo is considered one of the top things to do in Nashville. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.